After downing a refreshing glass of ice-cold beer, it felt as though her whole body had come back to life. Sitting in the corner of a small restaurant, Chi Ying and Tan Yi chatted while they ate.
Chi Ying’s situation had finally been settled, but Tan Yi’s circumstances were far more complicated. It was remarkable that despite everything, he had still gone out of his way to help her move.
Given Tan Yi’s academic performance and everyday conduct in the Acting Department, the department had originally planned to keep him on as a student counselor first, then have him continue his studies and eventually become a faculty member. He hadn’t taken the graduate school entrance exam this year, but that wasn’t an issue. As long as he remained at the university, there would be plenty of opportunities later.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the university had suddenly informed them a few days earlier that a graduate student from the University of Southern California in the United States had arrived. Just like that, Tan Yi’s opportunity to stay on at the university vanished.
The whole thing was infuriating because everything had already been agreed upon. Tan Yi had never looked for work elsewhere, nor had he even prepared a résumé.
Now graduation was upon them, and every work unit had already filled its positions. Every opening had been taken. There was simply no room left.
Several department leaders and professors who were close to him had done everything they could to find out what had happened. Apparently, the newcomer was the child of someone in a high-ranking position at the ministry…
The head of the Acting Department had originally intended to argue with the college administration. It was one thing for someone new to come, but was there really any need to block one of their own students’ future? Unfortunately, even the college couldn’t do anything. The timing had simply been terrible. It seemed another institution within the system had undergone organizational changes, and the position allocated to the Film Academy had come from that adjustment. There were no extra staffing quotas or Beijing household registration slots available.
Life was unpredictable. Sometimes the smallest coincidence or change could alter the course of a person’s entire life.
Just like that, Tan Yi had already been preparing to move into the faculty housing, only to see all his plans collapse overnight. In the blink of an eye, he had become just another drifter trying to make it in Beijing.
“So, Chi Ying, now you know…” Tan Yi said. “Just how difficult it is to stay in Beijing and get into the film industry.”
Looking at Tan Yi across the table, who appeared so calm and composed, Chi Ying suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness.
Of course I know.
I just didn’t realize it until it was too late. And what I lost was half my life…
Her eyes stung. Pretending nothing was wrong, she lowered her head and casually wiped at them before refilling Tan Yi’s glass.
“Tan Yi, you’re an exceptionally talented person. You have dreams, you’re hardworking, and you never give up. Sometimes lying low for a while is only to gather strength before soaring into the sky.”
In her previous life, she had witnessed firsthand the heights this old classmate eventually reached, but she had never known the hardships he had endured beforehand.
Once, by chance, she had seen Tan Yi being interviewed on a film channel. At the time, her own life had already become quite difficult, so she had no interest in listening to the “inspirational success stories” of someone she knew. She had simply left it playing as background noise while doing housework.
When Tan Yi casually mentioned “the perseverance and hard work before becoming famous,” she hadn’t paid much attention. She vaguely caught fragments like “living in a basement,” “only eating one meal a day,” and “auditioning for hundreds of productions…”
Her first reaction back then had been that he was exaggerating, or perhaps reading from a prepared script. After all, in her mind at the time, no one had it worse than she did.
Now that she had a chance to relive everything, she realized Tan Yi’s difficult journey had probably already begun at this point.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “So many of our classmates are staying in Beijing, and I’m at the Planning Center now. I’ll definitely hear about new productions before most people. If any new film comes up, you’ll be the first person I tell.”
“I’ll work hard too. And one day, when I get to make movies, I’ll definitely cast you as my leading man.”
She was feeling slightly tipsy, so those grand but distant promises slipped out without thinking.
After all, she was still a nobody herself. Talking about directing films and choosing a male lead was nothing more than a dream.
But Tan Yi seemed to take her seriously.
“Chi Ying, you said it yourself. Don’t go back on your word when the time comes.”
“Just for that, let’s have another drink!”
He grabbed the bottle, filled both their glasses to the brim, and drained his own in one gulp.
Chi Ying’s spirits rose as well.
“I always keep my promises!”
She tipped back her glass and emptied it with several hearty gulps.
The two of them were still drinking and chatting when the pager in Chi Ying’s bag suddenly started beeping nonstop.
She pulled it out and read the message.
Where are you? You’re not in the dorm. Return immediately.
Judging from the tone, it was clearly an order from a superior to a subordinate.
It had to be from her scumbag boyfriend.
At that moment, Chi Ying felt even more keenly that her younger self must have had her brain kicked by a donkey.
This guy?
With this attitude?
I actually gave up my future and followed him without hesitation?
Seeing her hesitate, Tan Yi quietly asked, “Was that Zhang Yang?”
“Is something urgent? Why don’t you return the call? The owner has a landline.”
“I’ve already drained all the water out of my brain. There’s no need to pay him any attention. Let’s keep drinking.”
With that, she tossed the pager back into her bag.
Tan Yi froze for a moment before understanding what she meant. Unable to help himself, he burst into laughter.
He had always thought Chi Ying could be pretty sharp-tongued, but judging from this, there was definitely no future for her and Zhang Yang anymore.
Testing the waters, he asked, “Did you… find something out?”
Chi Ying glanced at him.
She suddenly remembered that a long time ago, Tan Yi had inexplicably asked her one day, “What’s Zhang Yang been busy with lately?”
At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. She had only found it odd because Tan Yi and Zhang Yang had never interacted. Why was he suddenly so interested?
Looking back now, Zhang Yang must have already let his true colors show among the male students by then.
“So all you guys already knew he wasn’t faithful, didn’t you?” Chi Ying asked.
She felt a little bitter, but she couldn’t blame anyone. Unless the person involved figured things out for themselves, there really wasn’t much outsiders could say.
Tan Yi couldn’t help taking a deep breath.
When it came to matters between a couple, outsiders were in an awkward position. Saying too much wasn’t appropriate. Saying too little wasn’t either.
He had hinted before that Chi Ying should be careful.
But later, seeing that she had been absolutely determined to follow Zhang Yang, even giving up her chance to stay in Beijing, he had felt it was such a pity.
When Professor Liu had called him this time to help Chi Ying move, he had been both surprised and delighted. He hadn’t even had time to wallow in his own troubles before gathering several friends and rushing over.
Now, sitting here drinking, eating, chatting…
The future no longer seemed quite so hopeless.
The two of them spent quite a while enthusiastically discussing films. By the time every other table had emptied, they finally made their way back to the dormitory.
Tan Yi was thoughtful.
He worried Zhang Yang might still be waiting outside the women’s dormitory.
Chi Ying had clearly broken things off with him. As a woman, she would be at a disadvantage if they came face to face, so he insisted on walking her all the way back.
Sure enough, just as expected, they found Zhang Yang standing outside the women’s dorm with a dark expression.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Didn’t you get my page? Do you know I’ve been standing here for over an hour? Everyone passing by has been looking at me like I’m an idiot!”
From his attitude, it was as though waiting downstairs for his girlfriend was some tremendous act of condescension.
Then again, it made sense.
He already believed Chi Ying was completely under his thumb, so he no longer bothered with any of the little gestures of affection.
Chi Ying sneered.
“I got it. So what if I didn’t feel like coming back? Is there a problem? If you want to wait, then wait. If you don’t, then get lost. What does any of that have to do with me?”
Only then did Zhang Yang realize that, beneath the lights, Chi Ying looked nothing like her usual gentle, smiling self.
She gave no ground whatsoever.
She was frighteningly cold.
He panicked a little.
After all, no one knew better than he did what he had been busy with lately.
Quickly changing his attitude, he shot Tan Yi a contemptuous glance before forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I didn’t know you’d gone out to eat with Tan Yi. I was worried something might’ve happened to you… So, how did the packing go today?”
“It went quite well,” Chi Ying replied calmly. “I’ve already moved everything into my dorm.”
This time Zhang Yang truly lost his composure.
“What do you mean you’ve already moved into your dorm? Didn’t we agree we’d meet the people from the provincial TV station tomorrow? The deputy station director in charge of daily operations happens to be on a business trip at the bureau these next few days. Once we sign the contract, we’ll be able to transfer our personnel files directly afterward.”
“I never planned on going to the provincial TV station. I reported to the Planning Center today.”
The color drained from Zhang Yang’s face.
Furious, he shouted, “Chi Ying, what do you mean by this? This isn’t what we agreed on! How can you suddenly change your mind? Are you playing me?”
As he spoke, he charged toward her.
Seeing things turn ugly, Tan Yi immediately pulled Chi Ying behind him.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it properly. You don’t treat a woman like this!”
Standing safely behind Tan Yi, Chi Ying calmly mocked him.
“Playing you? Wasn’t I simply helping you and Zhao Xuemei get what you wanted?”
“You already met with the provincial TV station’s leadership today, didn’t you? And you even tried to bundle me in as a buy-two-get-one-free deal while getting Zhao Xuemei’s job assignment settled too.”
“It’s just a shame they weren’t interested in taking on a sponsored junior college graduate.”
Cold sweat instantly broke out across Zhang Yang’s forehead.
He hadn’t expected Chi Ying to know every move he’d made these past few days.
He quickly backed away several steps, forcing an awkward smile.
“You’ve really misunderstood. Zhao Xuemei worked so hard to get into junior college after repeating a year, but she still didn’t have anywhere to go after graduation, so I just happened to mention her to the people at the provincial TV station. She’s just a fellow townswoman and classmate. That’s all.”
Chi Ying stared at him.
At this moment, Zhang Yang looked like nothing more than a clown.
But the her of that year had been an even bigger one, deceived by his pitiful acting, only to be ridiculed, mocked, and suppressed by this shameless couple afterward.
“Zhang Yang, we’ve known each other for years. There’s no need to make things this ugly.”
Chi Ying no longer wanted to waste time arguing.
There were people constantly coming and going beneath the dormitory. She had no interest in putting on a public spectacle.
“You’re a man. If you did it, then have the guts to admit it. I already know all about you and Zhao Xuemei.”
“I’m trying to save you some face so we can end this peacefully.”
“But if you keep yelling like this, I’ll expose everything that happened between the two of you at that little motel next to the Beijing Broadcasting Institute. Then we’ll see whether either of you still manages to get your graduation diploma.”
…
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